Chapter Six

  Another half month passed, and some people were eliminated one after another, either to keep watch or to be arranged by Ji Hongru. This time, Ji Hongru was so busy that he almost didn't have time to eat, complaining all day that there weren't enough hands. When he heard that more personnel had been assigned to him, he was overjoyed and immediately arranged for people to build houses in the back mountain and rush to make training equipment.

  The remaining hundred people finally got used to the intense training, and also received good news: that morning, Xiao Ming announced a day off for cleaning. Xiao Ming deeply understood the principle of balance, fearing that excessive hard work would lead to illness.

  The crowd cheered and jumped, but Xiao Ming's next words made them calm down again. "Brothers have worked hard, but this is just the beginning. From tomorrow on, we will start to gradually increase the intensity of training. One month later, brothers who can persist will enter the next round of training. Remember, whoever cannot bear it should quit, it's not shameful, don't force yourself, so as not to hurt your body. Now, go to Mr. Ji's place to get a sandbag vest and sandbag leg wraps, one set per person. From tomorrow on, you can only take them off when sleeping, got it?"

  A hundred people responded in unison "Understood", then dispersed to get sandbags.

  Wang Jinlong finally couldn't help but ask Xiao Ming, how much longer will this training last, what about the remaining people. Xiao Ming smiled and said: Train for another month, lay a foundation, then conduct technical and tactical training, at that time, no matter who it is, everyone must participate.

  Finally having a day off, everyone was in high spirits. They quickly washed their clothes, dried the bedding, swept the room and went out for some free time. Ma Liu Ben wanted to find a place to take a good nap, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't fall asleep. So he got up and went to the kitchen to fetch a few bottles of wine, called Sun Er Gou and a few others, moved a few jars of liquor, hid in the woods, and had a hearty drink until late at night, before stumbling back home.

  The next morning, the wake-up bell rang out, Ma Liu's head was splitting with pain, he struggled to get up and put on his clothes, tied up his sandbag, hastily washed his face, and rushed to the playground. Wang Jinlong smelled the alcohol on several people from afar, frowned, just about to explode, Xiao Ming lightly pulled him back, shook his head, with a gloomy smile, Wang Jinlong couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine, thinking that these few young men were in for trouble.

  Xiao Ming announced that training would start normally, with the goal of going to Gourd Valley and back. However, today's last ten laps would be doubled. This was a disaster for Ma Liu and his men. The sandbags were only 20-30 kilograms heavy, so it wasn't too difficult to carry them with some effort. But after a night of drinking, they felt dizzy and disoriented, their heads spinning and their feet light. From the start, they fell behind, and by the time they stumbled back to the mountain stronghold, their clothes were in tatters and the sand had spilled out of the bags. They collapsed on the ground, exhausted and nauseous, almost vomiting up their internal organs.

  Xiao Ming smiled and walked forward, asking in surprise: "Hey, what's going on with you guys? It wasn't like this before?" He suddenly wrinkled his nose, and instantly changed to a smiling face. "Hmmm, have you been drinking? That's great! This wine can relax muscles and invigorate the blood, strengthen the body... how come you guys are not as good as before? Did you drink too much?! How convenient, I just so happen to have an antidote for hangovers here, do any of you want to try it?"

  Ma Liu looked up at Xiao Ming, who was smiling at him with a cold glint in his eyes that made Ma Liu shudder. He then looked at Wang Jinlong, whose gaze was directed upwards, and the whip in his hand was rhythmically tapping against the palm of his other hand.

  Ma Liu also counted as having insight, gritted his teeth and said, "Officer, that Wake-up Brother has taken the lead, we several brothers admit defeat, let's go get the sandbags now." He propped himself up, called out to a few people and left.

  On the way, Sun Erdou asked: "Liu Zi, are we really going to accept the punishment? Or should we find Instructor and talk it over, just let it go for today?"

  Ma Liu said with a scowl: "Damn it, didn't you see that this is the one coming for us? If you don't admit defeat, do you think you can get past that smiling tiger today?"

  From then on, no one in the training room dared to drink again. Later, they didn't even have the strength to drink. The nickname "Laughing Tiger" slowly spread throughout the mountain and reached Xiao Ming. Xiao Ming smiled slightly: A tiger? I'd rather see when they can become a pack of wolves!

  The next month, on the basis of physical training, strength training was gradually strengthened, and by the end, the intensity had almost doubled, with almost everyone shedding several layers of skin. People kept leaving, and those who were still holding on to their training were filled with respect, and there were no longer any complaints about the different treatment of food. In the end, only forty or so people remained.

  After a day of rest, they began a new round of training. The training ground at the back mountain was put into use, although it was simple, but still made people feel fresh and exciting. Xiao Ming personally took charge of all aspects of training, Wang Jinlong gathered everyone to take turns watching and learning, making use of their free time to practice. The felled wood was also put to use, as the trees were not too tall, Xiao Ming ordered his men to make them into logs, connecting them together, five people in a group, shouldering the logs and running. They also started hand-to-hand combat training, with Xiao Ming personally demonstrating, striving for one-hit kills.

  After a month, Xiao Ming comprehensively considered and left thirty people to lead the team himself, while the rest were reorganized and trained by those who had just been eliminated. At the same time, he announced a three-day holiday as a short-term adjustment, and the next step's training plan would be decided after being jointly determined with his family.

  In the hall, everyone gathered together. They had been training hard and Wang Jinlong ordered the kitchen to cook a few dishes to treat them. Wang Jinlong raised his cup and said: "Brothers, you have all worked hard for this period of time, especially the instructors. Today, let's open our stomachs and drink freely! Come on, the first cup is to toast the instructor!"

  Everyone raised their glasses to toast Xiao Ming, who stood up and smiled as he said: "The host is too polite. Since I've taken on this task, I'll naturally do my best and spare no effort. It's not hard for me, but rather it's you brothers who are suffering!"

  Everyone took a drink and finished it, Da Long, Ma Liu, and Sun Er Gou held their wine bowls, looking at each other in embarrassment. Wang Jinlong felt strange and asked: "What's going on? In the past, you were more enthusiastic about seeing wine than seeing your old man, what happened today, have you all changed?"

  A few people didn't speak, Ma Liu made a face at Wang Jindong and winked at Xiao Ming. Wang Jindong suddenly understood and smiled at Xiao Ming: "Officer, today the brothers are in high spirits, look at them..."

  Xiao Ming smiled faintly and said: "These days don't train, it's all up to the master of the house."

  Wang Jinlong laughed and said, "Did you hear that? Today I'm speaking up for you, so don't worry and drink up. However, in the future during training, you're on your own!" Ma Liu and the others hastily said, "Thank you, Master Wang! Thank you, Instructor!" and quickly downed their drinks.

  Pouring wine, Wang Jinlong sighed: "Brothers, I'm also a commander, but compared to those instructors, one is in heaven and the other is underground! If we were like this before, how could the Japanese have chased us here!"

  Xiao Ming smiled slightly: "The host is too modest, I heard that the Northeast Army is well-trained, well-equipped, and has the strongest combat effectiveness in our country. The method of training soldiers must have its own strengths!"

  "Captain, you're slapping me in the face! An army that abandons its people and land still has the nerve to talk about combat strength? If there's one thing we're good at, it's running away fast!"

  Xiao Ming comforted: "The master doesn't have to blame himself too much, losing the land is the fault of those in power, not the soldiers. It's like a flock of sheep, if led by a tiger, they will burst out with the power of a tiger, but if the commander is a sheep, even tigers will become sheep. Does the master think I'm right or not?"

  Wang Jindong nodded, deeply convinced, took a sip of wine and suddenly asked: "Officer Xiao, are these thirty people including Da Longma Liu considered to have graduated and can they start practicing that special warfare method you mentioned?"

  Xiao Ming smiled and shook his head, saying: "Don't worry, they've just started."

  "Just starting?" The crowd was shocked. "How much longer will it take?" Wang Jinlong asked.

  "I've practiced for three years to achieve this level, which is also thanks to my good physical quality and cultural cultivation. As for them, at least five years are needed! And it's endless." Xiao Ming said lightly. When he was young, he was mischievous and often fought with others. His father helplessly sent him to a martial arts school, where Xiao Ming became fascinated with martial arts and had even received guidance from famous masters. He had practiced excellent skills and had rich actual combat experience, otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to enter the eyes of the instructor.

  "Is that so!" The crowd sighed in amazement. Ma Liu disagreed, saying: "I think no matter how well you practice, it's not as useful as a gun. If you can get your hands on a few good guns, even if you're just a kid, nobody will dare to mess with you!"

  Xiao Ming smiled: "A gun is just an auxiliary tool, it only shows its power on the battlefield. In most cases, we don't necessarily have to use it. This cat brother must have a deep understanding of this. Of course, for people like us, having a gun is a must!"

  Wang Jinlong said: "In that case, why don't we go buy a few?" He turned his head to look at Ji Hongru.

  Ji Hongru stood up, looking very embarrassed, stuttering: "Master, recently the mountain stronghold has been... uh... this and that..."

  "Mr. Ji didn't say, I almost forgot, I'll take care of this." Xiao Ming suddenly came to his senses and turned to face Wang Jinlong: "Boss, I have something to attend to down the mountain, can you find a few people to go with me?"

  "Sir, I'm ready. I don't know how long we'll be gone or how many people will go."

  "Xin brother, cat brother and Ma Liu's two dogs will do. Seeing Wang Jindong agree, Xiao Ming found four people. The four looked at Wang Jindong and expressed their willingness to go. Xiao Ming said again: "The training will be handled by Da Long, and ten days later, the master must send someone to pick us up at Pingcheng Railway Station, or we won't meet."

  Wang Jinlong nodded and took note, then asked: "Officer Xiao, where are we going?"

  "Wuhan, go pick up some stuff!"